Holy See urges recognition of women’s role in
peacebuilding
(Vatican Radio) The
Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York has paid
“special homage” to “women who have had profound and lasting effects on the
lives of millions of people and on the development of nations through their selfless
and long-term work in education, healthcare and values formation among the
young.”
In a statement presented to
the Security Council Open Debate on Women, peace and security 28 March 2016, Archbishop
Bernardito Auza addressed the issue of “the role of women in
conflict prevention and resolution in Africa,” saying that
women, “even in the most difficult circumstances, distinguish
themselves for their bravery, constancy and dedication.”
“Women and girls who have
become victims of rape and other forms of violence during conflicts find
security and understanding in the institutions run by these women, more often
than not by women religious.”
Yemen: Sisters of Charity
sacrificed their lives for the poor
The Vatican diplomat recalled
with “gratitude and sorrow” the sacrifice of four Missionary Sisters of
Charity Sister Anselm from India, Sister Marguerite and Sister
Reginette from Rwanda, and Sister Judit from Kenya, “who were massacred by
cowardly fundamentalists on March 4 in Aden, Yemen.”
“They devoted their lives for
poor and elderly women, a dozen of whom were also killed with them, while
some sources claim that the terrorists who kidnapped the Indian priest Father
Tom from the same institution crucified him on Good Friday.”
Archbishop Auza praised
efforts by the U.N. and governments to “raise awareness and arrive at a fuller
recognition of the vital role of women” in conflict prevention and
peacebuilding.
The Vatican diplomat said
women have a “special gift in educating people to be more receptive and
sensitive of the needs of others around them and beyond” and that their
contribution in this area “is crucial in conflict resolution and in fostering
post-conflict reconciliation.”
Please find below the full
transcript of Archbishop Auza’s statement to the UN Security Council:
Mr. President,
My delegation wishes to thank
the Angolan Presidency for convening this particularly important Open
Debate on the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution in
Africa. Women are drivers of development and human flourishing in multiple
fields: in the family and faith communities, in socio-cultural initiatives
and humanitarian efforts, in education and health care, in mediation and
preventive diplomacy, in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development cannot be achieved without the contribution of
women.
Sustainable development goal
16 aims to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for
sustainable development.” In many countries in Africa, in particular in
the Great Lakes Region, “peaceful and inclusive societies” are still a
distant dream. Women can greatly contribute towards realization. Thus the
Holy See expresses its appreciation for the initiatives promoted by the
Security Council and Governments to raise awareness and arrive at a fuller
recognition of the vital role of women in preventive diplomacy, mediation,
peacekeeping missions and peace-building processes. This recognition,
however, must be fully translated into action in order to unleash skills and
capacities that allow women to bring order out of chaos, community out of
division, and peace out of conflict. Their special gift in educating
people to be more receptive and sensitive of the needs of others around
them and beyond is crucial in conflict resolution and in fostering
post-conflict reconciliation.
Mr. President,
My delegation wishes to pay
special homage to the women who have had profound and lasting effects on
the lives of millions of people and on the development of nations through their
selfless and long-term work in education, healthcare and values formation
among the young. These women, even in the most difficult circumstances,
distinguish themselves for their bravery, constancy anddedication. Women and
girls who have become victims of rape and other forms of violence
during conflicts find security and understanding in the institutions run
by these women, more often than not by women religious.
Their spirit of sacrifice for
the good of others bring some of them to death. My delegation feels dutybound
at this moment to remember with gratitude and sorrow the four Missionary
Sisters of the Charity Sister Anselm from India, Sister Marguerite and
Sister Reginette from Rwanda, and Sister Judit from Kenya, who were
massacred by cowardly fundamentalists on March 4 in Aden, Yemen.
They devoted their lives for
poor and elderly women, a dozen of whom were also killed with them, while
some sources claim that the terrorists who kidnapped the Indian priest Father
Tom from the same institution crucified him on Good Friday.
Pope Francis has prayed that
“this pointless slaughter will awaken consciences, lead to a change
of heart, and inspire all parties to lay down their arms and take up the
path of dialogue.” There is no greater sacrifice for peace and reconciliation
than to lay down one’s life for it. May their blood these be seeds for a
peaceful and reconciled Yemen!
Mr. President,
The Holy See has been very
attentive to the inspiring work of African women in defending the voiceless,
in preventing the outbreak of communal violence, in caring for the victims of
conflicts, in reinforcing fragile peace, in fostering human dignity and
fundamental human rights. Through various initiatives, the Holy See aims
to consolidate their tremendous contributions to build peaceful and
inclusive societies. The rise of more and more African women to high political
and diplomatic spheres can greatly help Africa find answers to the
problems that until now have kept it from sharing fully the fruits of
development and the dividends of peace.
Education has been key to
this empowerment. If women are to become prime drivers of sustainable development
and peaceful societies, ensuring that all girls and women have access to
education is indispensable. Improving access to education for women will not
only redound to a fuller realization of their potentials and greater
professional opportunities; it is also a key to better educated future
generations capable of ushering in and maintaining just and peaceful societies.
I am proud to say that the Catholic Church in Africa is the leading
provider of quality education for all, ensuring to the best of its
possibilities that no woman or girl would be left unschooled, preparing them to
become dignified agents of their own personal flourishing and active protagonists
in building strong families and peaceful societies.
Sadly, for far too many
women, it is still a steep uphill struggle to emancipate themselves from situations
of marginalization, violence, abandonment and exclusion. The world today
continues to be confronted with various old and new forms of violence
directed against women and girls, in particular the use of rape as a
weapon of war during conflicts, the abuses in refugee camps,
the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation, forced abortion,
forced conversion and forced marriage. Instead of being eradicated, some of
these acts of violence have re-emerged in even crueler forms, constituting some
of the most horrendous violations of human rights.
Mr. President,
The obligation to put an end
to these barbaric acts against women and girls is incumbent upon every one
of us, upon every Government and in a particular way, upon this Council.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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